Senate committee protects implicit bias training for law enforcement
DES MOINES — Bias training for law enforcement, minority recruitment efforts and  minority-focused grants will not be banned by the state of Iowa (The Gazette). A Senate committee approved a bill that ends affirmative action reports at colleges, but removed amendments by the House that would have axed implicit bias training, which is training on biases one might have but be unaware of, and that would have ended the grant funds and recruitment efforts for minorities. The Republican committee head said during the bill’s review that all of the changes added by the House should be considered separately rather than all at once.
Help raise money for Johnson County's Shelter House with book sale
CORALVILLE — You can help raise money for the emergency homeless shelter, supportive housing, and education programs provided by the nonprofit Shelter House with this weekend’s two-day book sale. Also for sale: puzzles, games, CDs, DVDs and other media, all available at discounted prices. Swing by the Old Antique Car Museum, 860 Quarry Rd., Coralville, from 10:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday. Special offer on Saturday: for an extra $20 donation, you can enter the book sale an hour early (kids under 12 free).
Trans author, public speaker Ben Greene to speak throughout Iowa this weekend
Transgender joy activist Ben Greene will have five speaking events in eastern Iowa in coming days. Author of “My Child is Trans, Now What?”, Greene will be one of two keynote speakers for the March 28 “Unique and United” Conference in Ottumwa. He’ll also speak at the Chariton, Ia., PFLAG group (south of Des Moines) Thursday evening at the Chariton Public Library;Â at the PFLAG Mount Pleasant meeting Friday evening at the Fairfield Public Library; to PFLAG Mount Pleasant at a Mount Pleasant location Sunday afternoon; and at Prairie Lights Bookstore in Iowa City Sunday at 4 p.m. Check here for Greene’s full schedule and all addresses and times.
